April 29, 2009


Jon~ around 8 months :)

I'm reminiscing a lot these days as our first born is ready to graduate college in about a week. I need to be very careful because I'm learning that it is not fruitless spending time wishing I could re-write history. It can indeed produce fruit- guilt and regret. Instead, as I look back, I am looking for evidence that the Lord was at work- shaping and molding my son into the man of God he is today and I'm looking to learn. How did I do as a mom? How could I have better showed him the love of Christ? Does he truly know who he is in Christ? Will he forget the times I was impatient when he looks back? Taylor has a few more years at home and Miri several more. So... I tread back carefully in hopes it will serve!

If I could do it again- I would:

Hug and kiss them more!

Remind them faithfully of the promises of God all throughout life.

When confronting their sin- I would more faithfully remind them of their need of a Savior and tell them yet again of the glorious Gospel. I would make every effort to leave them with hope and not discouragement. I would make sure to evaluate my own heart in the situation. What is surfacing in MY heart when THEY sin? Am I as eager to tend to my own heart as I am theirs? The goal is to point them to the Savior and show them in all ways how glorious He is!!

I’d realize that no matter how they conform on the outside- their hearts are the most important. I realize it’s easy to spend one’s whole life focusing on the ‘frame’ and less on the picture.

I would offer them many more opportunities to serve the needy. It’s so easy in this culture to become self focused.

I would have prayed with them more when needs arose. I fear I displayed self-sufficiency too often.

Lastly- (for now!) I would have trusted my Savior more. He has indeed proven to be oh so faithful! He has done a work in the hearts of my young men that no amount of my lecturing could have produced!! He shed His love abroad in their hearts. He also used dear friends in the faith over and over to help us point them to the Savior. We are oh so grateful!!

I welcome thoughts from others about this season. It is a precious but sobering time. God is faithful!

April 27, 2009

It has been a bit of an emotional morning. I am teeter-tottering between joy and sorrow :). Joy!! Today is Jonathan's last full day of college classes. All he has left are his finals. We so thank the Lord for our son. Sorrow- where has the time gone? Wasn't it just yesterday when I first started homeschooling him?


I was given priceless counsel when I was very pregnant with Jonathan. A precious older woman stopped me in a public place and with conviction she implored me to enjoy every minute with my child. Speaking from much experience, she said time will indeed fly by. It sure has. I have thought of her counsel many times thru the years and found myself eager to share it with a dear friend at church this past Sunday who is pregnant with her first son. Enjoy every minute- savor those midnight feedings- the laughs- even the sorrows. Train them but oh enjoy them!! They are truly gifts from the Lord which is what Jonathan's name means... "God's gift". Amen!



Jonathan's first day of school~9/1991

Jonathan's last day of classes~4/2009

April 27, 2009

We've had quite a busy week! Bill took Miri to Georgia for her neuro testing and I stayed home to prepare for my student recital. My friend Anne Dixon had her 2 student recitals in our home back to back on Saturday afternoon and mine was that evening. All the students did so well! We also had our church picnic yesterday- so we have lots of pictures to share! I'll be sleeping while you're viewing :). Enjoy!

April 22, 2009

It is hard to believe that 11 years ago we were sitting before a judge in Russia, waiting to hear those glorious words- She's yours! Today we celebrate Gotcha Day! Miri loves this day more than she loves her birthday. She loves to hear her adoption story... that she was chosen by the Lord from across the world to be a part of our family! How we thank the Lord for our precious girl!!!


This was the first picture we received of Miri :)




This was her passport picture:

She's ours!! These were taken the last morning in Russia:

Thank you Lord for our precious Miri!!